Trip to Accrington 01-03-2014

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N195 LFV	Accrington BS	West End, opp Percy Street	46	M&M Coaches
MC53 MMC	West End, by Percy Street	Accrington BS	46	M&M Coaches
N201 UHH	Accrington BS	Laneside, by Haywood Road	19	M&M Coaches
1304	Accrington, o/s Victoria Hospital	Accrington, opp Lister Street	7	Transdev Lancashire United
N379 PNY	Accrington, by Lister Street	Accrington BS	1	M&M Coaches
1828	Accrington BS	Great Harwood, by Towngate	7	Transdev Lancashire United
1306	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street	Accrington BS	6	Transdev Lancashire United
573	Accrington BS	Oswaldtwistle, by Rhyddings Street	6A	Transdev Lancashire United
205	Oswaldtwistle, opp Rhyddings Street	Accrington BS	7A	Transdev Lancashire United

Today we decided to pay another visit to Accrington. I gave him a list of places to go of which first choice this week was Sale so he could do a few Finglands buses before they left the First Manchester fleet, but Matthew chose Accrington. We did no research for today other than to check local football fixtures and to check the weather. The weather was forecast for a cool day with sunny intervals. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off around 11;40 today, going onto the A5035 and then onto Stanley Matthews way. We saw 2 unidentifed Barkerbus coaches on the car park near the Britannia Stadium before going around the roundabout behind Optare bodied Commandery Coaches YX54 BHD. We went West on the A50 and then North on the A500 up to Shelton New Road so that we could take on LPG. After gassing up went West on the A53 and then back onto the Northbound A500. We turned onto the Northbound M6 and traffic was moving quite well. In Cheshire we passed two Copeland's Tours coaches heading South. First we saw MIB 236 followed by MIB 229 a few minutes later. It was the first time we had seen MIB 229 on the road since arriving at Copeland's Tours. We carried on North up through the roadworks on Thelwall Viaduct and then onto the Eastbound M62. We took the clockwise M60 and just after the M61 junction we passed Stagecarriage S467 GUB. We carried on until we reached the M66 which we did North up to the A56. When we reached the A680 we turned right towards Accrington and drove the last few miles into town. We parked up on the car park near the railway station and we walked into town. On the way we stopped to take a few pictures. We saw Pilkington Bus R846 VEC on the #20 Hyndburn circular service.

Pilkington Bus R846 VEC in Accrington bus station

We also saw required M&M Coaches N201 UHH on the #2 service and required M&M Coaches MC53 MMC on the #46 to Blackburn. After using the toilet we crossed over the road to the bus stop cafe on Peel Street. Matthew had breakfast washed down with a glass of Coke. Whilst we ate we also saw required M&M Coaches N379 PNY on the #1 Oswaldtwistle - Clayton-le-Moors circular service. Three out of Three required buses seen with only one left to view. hen we had finished eating we said goodbye to mum and headed off to the bus stops. As we needed MC53 MMC we decided to check out the final M&M Coaches bus on the #46 which we could do up to the West end for MC53 MMC back. Whilst we waited we saw Transdev Lancashire United 401 on the X41 to Blackburn.

Transdev Lancashire United 401 in Accrington bus station

We also saw required Transdev Lancashire United 205 on the #7A to Blackburn. We didn't have to wait long before required M&M Coaches N195 LFV appeared on the #46 to Blackburn. Four out of Four bus out today required!

M&M Coaches N195 LFV in Accrington bus station

We got on the bus and booked a return to the West End. The bus was almost empty when we got on and Matthew was able to get a picture inside the bus straight away.

Inside M&M Coaches N195 LFV

We sat down near the back and the bus set off out of town. As we got on the bus we saw dud but interesting Pilkington BUs G306 UYN on an #20A Hyndburn circular service. We set of out of town and onto Blackburn Road. We passed Transdev Lancashire United Optare Tempo 1307 on a #7 service and we turned to the right and continue on Blackburn Road. When we reached the West end of town we got off N195 LFV and it climbed the hill into the distance towards Blackburn. We crossed over the road and we didn't have to wait for long before we saw MC53 MMC appear over the horizon. As the bus approaches Matthew got a picture of this fine Mercedes minibus.

M&M Coaches MC53 MMC on Blackburn Road

We got on and flashed our return tickets and sat down near the back of the bus. The bus had really nice high backed coach seat fitted throughout. We headed back down the hill and we veered right at the junction to head into town. When we got back to Accrington Matthew waited for the bus to empty before taking a picture inside of M&M Coaches MC53 MMC.

Inside M&M Coaches MC53 MMC

We decided to take a few pictures whilst we waited for N201 UHH to make another appearance. On the X41 to Blacburn was Transdev Lancashire United 440.

Transdev Lancashire United 440 in Accrington bus station

Whilst we had the chance we also took another picture of M&M Coaches MC53 MMC whilst it was stationary.

M&M Coaches MC53 MMC in Accrington bus station

We then saw required Pilkington Bus X591 USC on a clockwise hyndburn circular. We visited the toilet and M&M Coaches N379 PNY appeared on the Clayton-le-Moors bound #1.

M&M Coaches N379 PNY in Accrington bus station

We turned it down for now, as we were going to try and do it up to Oswaldtwistle a bit later. There was quite a bit of activity in bus station at this time. Pilkington Bus X374 NNO was on an anticlockwise Hyndburn Circular and Rossendale Easyride 206 was on the #464 to Rochdale.

Rossendale 206 in Accrington bus station

'Rosso' branded 100 was photographed on the #484 to Bury.

Rossendale 100 in Accrington bus station

We had a quick drink of Cherryade and then we walked around to the stop to wait for the #9 Laneside circular. A few minutes before departure time, required M&M Coaches N201 UHH made an appearance as predicted with our driver friend at the wheel.

M&M Coaches N201 UHH in Bridge Street

We worked out which direction the bus was going in, and booked a single up to the hospital. The plan was now to do this to the Hospital for a Transdev bus back, and then do N379 PNY up to Oswaldtwistle. The bus set off out of town and as we headed up Whalley Road towards the hospital we passed M&M Coaches N379 PNY going the other way... Drat! A couple of minutes later and we would have been on it. The bus turned the corner into Queens Road and we got off. We walked back around the corner and stood at the stop by the hospital to wait for a bus back. We didn't have to wait for long before we saw a required bus approaching. We knew it was required because we had never been on a Transdev Optare Tempo. As it got closer we saw it was required Transdev Lancashire United 1304.

Transdev Lancashire United 1304 on Whalley Road

We got on we booked local day tickets before we sat down near the back. We decided to do this bus through to Oswaldtwistle to try and head off N379 PNY. We headed back down Whalley Road and into town along Abbey Street. We waited in Accrington for a few minutes and then we set off along Blackburn Road. Time was getting on and we didn't know when the bus was due back the other way. A family got on the bus and they were messing about getting on the bus and sorting money and tickets. We decided to cut our losses and get off at the next stop to make sure we didn't miss our final required M&M Coaches bus of the day. We got off crossed the road.A quick look at the bus stop revealed we had around 5 minutes to wait so we could have gone a little further. Pretty much bang on time the final required M&M Coaches bus of the day made it's appearance on the #1 service.

M&M Coaches N379 PNY on Blackburn Road

We got on and sat down near the back. The bus went back into town along Blackburn Road and we turned into Peel Street at the end of our journey. Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside M&M Coaches N379 PNY.

Inside M&M Coaches N379 PNY

We decided to go to the papershop and get some food in. Matthew brought a bottle or Irn Bru and some chocolate and a Millionaire Shortbread. We sat on the seats outside the shop an Matthew ate the shortbread. We decided we would use the Transdev day ticket to go after Transdev Lancashire United 205. It is a bus we have seen about and one that used to be a Park and Ride bus in Norwich many years ago. At this point I had forgotten it was on the it was on the 7A. I had also forgotten that the #7A and #6A only run on the Oswaldtwistle side of the run. After going to the toilet Transdev Lancashire United 1828 was on the #7 circular service.

Transdev Lancashire United 1828 in Accrington bus station

We got on and sat down near the back. A check of the Blog revealed that this bus was dud! We had been on this bus back from Knuzden back in December 2013. We decided to do this to Great Harwood in the hope of getting Transdev Lancashire United 205 back! The bus set off up Whalley Road and into Clayton-le-Moors. The bus emptied out a little and Matthew took a picture in the bus facing forwards.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 1828

We turned into Harwood New Road and then we turned into Park Road and Queen Street. When we reached the familiar Towngate area of town we got off the bus and got another picture of Transdev Lancashire United.

Transdev Lancashire United 1828 in Great Harwood

When we got off we didn't have to wait for long before required Transdev Lancashire United 1306 appeared. I was going to turn it down to wait for 205 to turn up. I would have been waiting for a long time... Matthew insisted on doing the bus and he was right...

Transdev Lancashire United 1306 in Great Harwood

We got on and unusually Matthew wanted to sit on the seat behind the driver. We set off back passed Tesco and out of town before turning right towards Clayton-le-Moors. When we got back we we saw Mercedes minibus V53 EWB parked up. We decided to wait for either a #7 or #7A towards Oswaldtwistle. Going in the other direction towards Great Harwood was required Transdev Lancashire United 1827.

Transdev Lancashire United 1827 in Accrington

Required Transdev Lancashire United 573 made an appearance on the #7A so we decided to do this in the hope of heading off 205. Whilst the bus was loading we crossed over the road so that we could get a good picture of 573.

Transdev Lancashire United 573 in Accrington bus station

The bus had filled up and we sat down near the back. The bus set off out of town along the Blackburn Road. About a mile out of town we took the left turn into Market Street. We headed through Oswaldtwistle and we passed Transdev Lancashire United Optare Versa 258 on an inbound #7A. At least that one was out of the way... As we traveled through Oswaldtwistle Matthew took a picture of an empty seat on this bus.

A seat on Transdev Lancashire United 573

We decided to get off near the monument, and we crossed over the road to wait for the bus back. The next bus back was a #7A so perhaps if we were lucky it would be 205. A few minutes later the bus was due and we could see it sweep down into the valley. Unbelievably it just happened to be the bus we were hoping for Transdev Lancashire United 205.

Transdev Lancashire United 205 in Oswaldtwistle

We got on and we sat down near the back. The bus passed through Oswaldtwistle and back onto Blackburn Road. The inside of this bus was unusual with its blue seats and grey handrails. When we got back to Accrington Matthew waited for the bus to empty before getting a picture inside this bus.

Inside Transdev Lancashire United 205

Matthew wanted the toilet and the public toilet on Peel Street had closed for the day. So we took him into a pub called The Calder on Blackburn Road. After he had used the toilet he insisted on going to the bar for a drink. He had a bottle of Coke which he took back to the car. In the car he had his sausage roll and we set off out of town. We went around the time on the A680 and headed down to the A56. We continued onto the M66 and then onto the anti-clockwise M60. The matrix sign were flashing for delays on the M60 between junction 13-10. I knew junction 10 was beyond where we needed but I wasn't sure if 13 was back towards the M62. It turned out that it was and we were stuck in traffic for a short while. Whilst there we saw South Lancs Travel 71 on a #300 service. We joined the M62 and the traffic problems eased as we headed West to the M6. It was now fully dark and w went south to the A500. On the A500 we passed Z Carz CN57 HWA. We went down to the A50 which we did to Longton so that we could check out the Z carz depot. At first we could only see 3 vehicles parked up but Z Carz D104 XAN was maneuvering back into the row. First in the row was Z Carz M534 RSO.

Z Carz M534 RSO in Longton

Next to this was now Z Carz D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

This was followed by Mercedes minibus used on school bus work S952 VMY.

Z Carz S952 VMY in Longton

Finally was Z Carz M372 NWN another bus used on school work.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We turned into Willow Row to look in the compound where we saw SORN LDV minibus T408 JUX. We headed back onto the A50 and into Heron Cross. There we saw Lightning Travel T2 DLT and the current bus being refurbished YN04 CUY. We got back home around 19:10. Matthew had a late tea of bangers and mash with carrots followed by cake. Matthew then chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 00:30...Mark

Trip to Accrington 06-07-2013

Bus	From	To	Service	Operator
N230 TPK	Accrington BS	Great Harwood, by Towngate	20A	Pilkington Bus
G301 UYK	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street‎	Oswaldtwistle, by Town Hall‎	21	Pilkington Bus
N202 LPN	Oswaldtwistle, opp Town Hall	Accrington BS	1	M&M Coaches
X374 NNO	Accrington BS	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street‎	20	Pilkington Bus
G301 UYK	Great Harwood, by Holgate Street‎	Accrington BS	21	Pilkington Bus

today we went to Accrington. This had been planed since the trip to Chorley, but we couldn't go last week due to going Mansfield instead. Research consisted of looking at the Lancashire County Council website and checking the weather. The weather was forecast for fine sunny weather. Matthew got up around 10:00 and had toast and orange juice for breakfast. We set off arund 11;0 today. We went onto the A5035 and and along Stanley Matthews Way onto the A50. We got on the northbound a500 and we came off at Shelton to get some LPG. We returned back onto the A500 off the A53 and then we headed up to the M6. The route up to Accrington was M6, M62, M60, M66 and then onto the A56. A few miles up the A56 we turned onto the A680 for the last few miles into town. Mum put in instruction for a particular car park in her phone. The phone took us though town and past the M&M coaches depot and into a housing estate! So we headed back into town to a different car park just off thee Blackburn Road. We parked up and walked into town as we walked into town we saw M&M coaches N213 UHH leaving town.

M&M Coaches N213 UHH in Accrington

We walked into town and we decided to have our diner alfresco outside the market. Matthew had burger and chips which was washed down with a can of Coke. Whilst we were eating we we saw Pilkington Bus Olympian G301 UYK depart around 1340 to Blackburn. We went into the market and Matthew used the disabled toilet and then we headed round the corner to the bus station. The first thing we did was to have a look around for a travel office, and Matthew took pictures as we walked around. First thing we saw was M&M coaches N202 LPN on a #1 service.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Accrington bus station

We crossed over and carried on along the stands. We then saw Rossendale 169 on a #484.

Rossendale 169 in Accrington bus station

We crossed over the road again and we asked a local about a travel office. Apparently the office is closed on a Saturday so we had a quick think about what we were going to do. As we contemplated what we were going to do we saw required Pilkington Bus N230 TPK on a #20A service. We decided to do this and maybe go after the Olympian we saw earlier too.

Pilkington Bus N230 TPK in Accrington bus station

We got on and booked day rover ticket at £3.50 each. As we got on we saw a timetable so we grabbed it. There were a few people on the bus so it wasn't easy to get a picture inside with it mainly brown with beige and green. He had to get one of the back seat area. The back seat had been replaced with standard Arriva fare during it days in Kent.

Inside Pilkington Bus N230 TPK

From the timetable leaflet we realised that the 20A is a near identical anti-clockwise run of the #21, so we could possibly head the Olympian off somewhere along the journey. As we traveled through Clayton-le-Moors we passed M&M coaches N195 LFV. We also passed another different double decker on the #20/21. We worked out we could go to Great Harwood and we could meet the Olympian there. As we approached the town the driver asked us where we wanted. I told him wherever is best to catch the bus going back the other way! He directed us to the stop just around the square to catch the bus back and we got off. Matthew got another picture of this well presented Dart.

Pilkington Bus N230 TPK in Great Harwood

We didn't have to wait long for G301 UYK to turn up. In fact we should have missed it as I had miscalculated the timings. Luckily it was running a couple of minutes down. It arrived from the South along the B6535 and went around the square to our stop.

Pilkington Bus G301 UYK in Great Harwood

We got on the bus and the plan was to go around the circle through Accrington and Blackburn, so we could check out Blackburn from the comfort of the top deck of this fine bus too. As I did tried to work out where we needed to booked to on the fly, I booked to Oswaldtwistle when I should have booked to Rishton. In the end this worked out quite well as can be seen. As we got on the bus Matthew photographed the empty lower saloon before we went upstairs.

Inside Pilkington Bus G301 UYK

We went upstairs and we sat near the front. The only problem with this design of bus is that there is no opening window in the front half of the top decker and windows on all side so it gets very warm on a sunny day! On the run into Accrington we passed the other 2 anti-clockwise turns which were Consecutively registered Dennis Darts R845 VEC and R846 VEC. With it being so warm I think Matthew was a little disappointed not to be getting off in Accrington. We carried on though town and we passed N230 TPK again near the railway station. We realised that we had made a mistake with the booking and we had just passed a bus going the other way. We decided to get off anyway, and Matthew got a picture of this 24 year old beast as he did.

Pilkington Bus G301 UYK in Oswaldtwistle

We crossed over and went to the local shop. It was an old fashion looking shop with wooden displays. Prices were great in here. Two cans of pop and a milky way for £1.15...Unbelievable! We had a picnic at the bus stop and we checked the bus stop timetables. The next 21A was at 15:23 but there was a #1 in front of it. we decided to do this if it was a step entranced minibus as we thought it would be, as it was run by M&M coaches. It was due in a few minutes. It appeared and it was required M&M Coaches N202 LPN.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Oswaldtwistle

We booked into town. The adult fare was £1.50 on this bus. There were a few people on this bus but they all emptied out at the stop before the bus station. We got off at the bus station and Matthew photographed the inside of this ex Stagecoach Mercedes.

Inside M&M Coaches N202 LPN

We got off and he also got a picture of the outside to.

M&M Coaches N202 LPN in Accrington bus station

we decided to have a shot break fro the buses. We visited the toilet and took pictures and made notes on the buses that we saw. M&M Coaches P350 NKH was seen as was N195 LFV. We also saw R845 VEC close up after passing this bus earlier in the day.

Pilkington Bus R845 VEC in Accrington bus station

The other clockwise circular was seen and that was optare excel S289 RAG. We decided to stay put and to take a few pictures and to wait for the other double decker on the clockwise Hyndburn circulars. Whilst we waited we saw rossendale Transport 101 on a #464 service and Lancashire United 212 on a #6. Eventually the double decker turned up it was required ex stagecoach trident X374 NNO. We booked to Great Harwood and the driver told us we would be quicker going the other way around. We told him that we were only on the bus for a ride he didn't seem very enthusiast friendly! We got on and sat upstairs. Matthew got a picture of the inside of the bus.

Inside Pilkington Bus X374 NNO

There were 2 options for us after this bus. We made a bus around 16:25 at and came back the opposite way around, or we waited for around 20 minutes and did G301 UYK again. We did the bus out through Oswaldtwistle and into Blackburn. There was traffic around Blackburn and this made us a little late. We were able to view Ainsworth Street which appears to be the shoppers centre of town but the service didn't call at the interchange. We headed back out of Blackburn and then turned towards Rishton. As we approached Great Harwood we passed the last anticlockwise service Which was R846 VEC on a #21A so that ruled out that! We came into the sqaure and we got off. Matthew then got a picture of the outside of X374 NNO.

Pilkington Bus X374 NNO in Great Harwood

We had about 20 minutes left before the bus was due. We crossed the square and we brought 2 cans of pop and a Galaxy Caramel bar. It was unsurprising more expensive than the shop in Oswaldtwistle at around £2. We went back to the stop and we had a little picnic at the bus stop whilst we waited. We didn't have to wait too long before we heard the roar of the approaching Olympian G301 UYK. We got on and after a quick chat the driver who was definitely more enthusiast friendly than the last driver, we went upstairs. The bus had cooled a little from earlier but it was still quit warm upstairs. The journey back was swift and when we got back to Accrington we got off and got another picture of this fine old beast.

Pilkington Bus G301 UYK in Accrington bus station

We walked up Peel Street and met up with mum. As we started back we saw Dart P729 RYL which was on a local service.

Pilkington Bus P729 RYL in Accrington bus station

We walked back to the car that was now parked by the town hall in shade. We sat for a few minutes eating our sausage rolls and drinking Coke. We set off around 17:20 and it was far easier leaving town than when we came in. we got back onto the A680 that we did down to the A56. We carried on onto the M66 and then at the end of the that road we went onto the M60 clockwise by accident. We carried on regardless as it was traffic free and we went around past Stockport and onto the M56. Here we saw an Hollinshead coach so I slowed so Matthew could get a picture.

Hollinshead J10 BUS on the M56

We went down the M56 and onto the A556 down to the M6. Here we saw 2 other local coaches. First we saw Copeland's Tours MIB 246 returning from a trip to Liverpool.

Copeland's Tours MIB 246 on the M6

Then we saw a Paul's of Stoke tri-axle coach TIL 8196.

Pauls of Stoke TIL 8196 on the M6

We carried on down to the A500 following the coaches. MIB 246 left at the Northern A34 junction, presumably to drop of passengers in Newcastle. We turned at the A50 and we heading into Longton to the Z Carz depot. tonight there were only two vehicles here Scania coach D104 XAN.

Z Carz D104 XAN in Longton

The other was relative newcomer Mercedes minibus M372 NWN.

Z Carz M372 NWN in Longton

We checked out the Willow Row compound and it was empty. We headed down Longton Hall Road and into blurton. 42726 was on the #23 and 40016 was on the #22 to Longton. We got hoe at 19:00. Matthew had a toffee yogurt whilst he waited for his late tea of bangers and mash followed by cheesecake. Afterwards he chilled out on his computer until bedtime around 23:45...Mark